Ukraine Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned

Jagran Josh

Jan 29, 2014 12:39 IST

Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on 28 January 2014 in order to facilitate peaceful settlement of the political crisis. President Viktor Yanukovych accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister.

The move came after the Ukrainian parliament voted overwhelmingly to annul a controversial anti-protest law. The Parliament voted by 361 to two to repeal the protest legislation which among other measures banned the wearing of helmets by protesters and the blockading of public buildings.

The resignation of the Prime Minister will not change anything because under the current power sharing system the President has total control of the government. The Ukrainian cabinet can remain in their posts for 60 days until a new government is formed. Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov will assume temporary leadership of the cabinet.

Analysis

Mr Azarov was unpopular with the opposition, who accused him of mismanaging the economy and failing to tackle corruption.

The opposition’s antipathy towards him grew after the protests started in November 2013 when he described demonstrators as extremists and was also seen as being responsible for the use of force by police.

Besides, Mr Yanukovych pulled out of a planned trade deal with the European Union in favour of 15 billion dollars bailout from Russia to bolster the ailing public finances.

Ukraine’s protest movement against President Yanukovych's government will not end suddenly due to the repeal of the controversial anti-protest law or Prime Minister’s resignation.

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